Electric steam iron



Z23 1945. I s. STONE 2,368,048

ELECTRIC STEAM IRON Filed May 2, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 2 I4 I Z5 '76 l6 HTTUR A/E H Jan. 23, 1945. s. STONE 2,368,048

ELECTRIC STEAM I IRON Filed May 2, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTiZCXQ Y W 421% ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 23, 1945 Seymour Stone, New ilork, N. Y., assignor to Robert L. Berenson, New York, N. Y.

Application May 2, 1941,. Serial No. 391,565

6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to pressing irons, and more particularly to pressing irons of the type having a self-contained steam generator for discharge upon the material being pressed during the ironing operation.

Among the objects of the present invention lies the provision of a steam iron which is convenient and foolproof in operation, requiring no special skill in the use thereof and which is completely safe.

Steam irons as such have been known in the prior art and they have been' open to a number of serious disadvantages. vantages is the fact that in certain constructions, when the steam pressure in the iron rises to within certain limits, the steam forming chamber is subject to bursting. Anotherdisadvantage in priorconstructions lies in the fact that, many of such devices in use discharge very wet steam and quantities of water. This wet steam or hot water has an extremely deleterious eflect on certain fabrics such as silk or rayon, and especially those of a thermoplastic nature such as those woven of cellulose acetate fibres. With this loss of water, the consumption of the water within the steam forming chamber or other reservoir is increased so that the need for refilling the chamber with water becomes more frequent. Another disadvantage of prior constructions lies in the fact that the iron itself is in the form of or has associated therewith a tank or other reservoir for the containing of water. Access to this tank or reservoir is gained by means of a small port closed by a threaded plug. Since the leakage of steam through this-port lowers the efliciency of the iron, it is customary to provide the plug with a gasket and toturn the same into its seat tightly. Owing to the expansion or contraction of the metal bordering the port or in the plug, as the case may be, the plug frequently becomes tightly wedged or frozen in place, requiring special tools to remove the same. Also by reason of the small size of the port and by reason of the fact that the inside of the water tank or res:- ervoir is invisible, it becomes necessary to use a funnel and to pour in through the port by means of the funnel, a certain predetermined amount of water, previously measured. a

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to providean iron incorporating a novelfilling structure, thereby avoiding the-disadvantages just described. "In accordance with the present invention, the filling of the iron with liquid'to the proper level requires only a simple dipping motionand does not require the movement of any valves or ports on the iron" itself;

Another object .herein lies in the provision of steam iron structure which by reason of the sim- Among these disadpli-city in the organization thereof, permits oi large scale production at low cost, with a consequent wide use.

Another object herein lies in the provision of steam iron structure in which the steam carrying tube serves also to integrate certain of the parts of which the iron iscomposed.

Another object herein lies in the provision of steam iron structure particularly adapted to prevent the emission from the iron of any wet steam or drops of water, a fault'commonlyreferred to as spitting. I

- A feature of the invention lies in the fact that substantially a complete dismantling of the important functional parts of the iron may be accomplished by removing two screws. 'Thispe'rmits of low cost manufacture and convenient and low cost servicing.

.Another object herein lies in the provision of a steam iron in which the heating areaof the sole plate is increased so as to be practically equal to the heating area of the sole plate of irons lacking the steam producing feature.

Another object herein lies in the provision of structure of the class described wherein the water tank or container is so organized with relation to the iron body that a-great deal of the cubic capacity of the body is utilized for the storage of water and the generation of steam. This results in only a short interval of idle time during which the iron raises the water to the boiling point, and it also results in a lower overall height I so that the iron is more convenient in use and presents a more desirable streamlined appearance.

Another obiect'herein lies in the provision of structure for the conducting of steam from the steam forming chamber to the outlet in the sole plate in such a manner as to reduce the tendency of the steam entering the tube to carry with In accordance with the present invention, the splashing of water within the body of the iron upon the entrance to the passage for the steam being emitted, is reduced to a minimum. These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a material part here of. similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views of each embodiment, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing a first embodiment of the invention in the filling process and resting in the filler stand, with the electrical attachment plug in place.

Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the iron shown in Figure 1 as seen from the plane 2-2 thereof, the electrical attachment plug and the filler stand being removed for purposes of clarity.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section view, partly in elevation, of the iron shown in Figure 1, the attachment plug and stand not being shown.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view in perspective of the steam delivery tube as removed from the iron proper.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view, partly in section, of the forward portion of a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, corresponding generally to Figure 3,

but showing a second embodiment of the inven-.

tion.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view as seen from the plane 1-1 on Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view showing the heel portion and some adjacent parts of the second embodiment of the invention.

Turning now to the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the device, generally indicated by numeral 10, comprises broadly, a hollow body Ii composed of first and second body elements l2 and iii, a handle M, a handle supporting bracket iii, a handle retaining bolt ii, a water reservoir II, a first steam chamber IS, a second steam chamber is, a screen 20, a conduit 2i, a conduit head 22, a sole plate 23, a heating element 24, a retainer bolt 2!, electrical contacts 26, a thermostat 21, and a hollow heel 28. v

The first body element is the main body of the device and is preferably composed of a hollow casting of some material not deleteriously affected by heat or water. The body element l2 includes a bottom wall or portion Iii, curved side walls 8| and 32 having corresponding front portions 23 and 34, and a rear wall 38. The upper edge of the walls 3i and 32 as well as the rear wall 35 have an inwardly extending peripheral fiange, including the front flange portion 3., the side flange portions 31 and ll, as well as the rear Substantially centrally of the first body element i2, the bottom wall 80 is provided with an upwardly extending recess ",thus forming the thermostat casing ll, including the top wall 49, the neck ll, side walls ll and I2, the front wall I8, and the rear wall 54.

Disposed substantially'along the central longisurface of the bottom wall II and the lower surface of the front flange portion I6. -Disposed substantially along the central longitudinal axis of the first body element l2 and rearwardly-of the wall 54 is a retainer bolt carrying tube SI. The retainer bolt carrying tube is preferably cast integrally with the first body element l2 and extends substantially vertically between the upper surface of the bottom. wall and the lower surface of the rear flange portion 39. The tube 56 and the rear wall 5 4 may be connected by means of a web 51. The upper surfaces of the fiange portions 36 .to 39 inclusive are preferably plane and at the same level as the upper surface of the neck 50.

The second body element I3 is preferably a single casting of materials similar to that of which the first casting is composed and is of irregular configuration best seen in Figure 3. The second body element l3 includes a top wall 60, a shank portion ii, a front wall 82, side walls 63 and 84, and a rear wall 65. The top wall 60 includes a downwardly extending depression l6 and a downwardly extending neck 81. The rear wall 65 is provided with a handle supporting bracket receiving recess 68, and the wall 85 therebelow is provided with an orifice, which, when the body elements l2 and ii are assembled, is in alignment with the opening in the tube 58 and the neck 61 is provided with an orifice which aligns with a corresponding orifice in the neck 50. The shank 6| may be cylindrical in horizontal section and is provided with a horizontally disposed threaded orifice arranged longitudinally with respect .to the device it. The lower portion of the shank 6!, that is to say, below the handle i4, is provided with an upwardly extending threaded bore 69 and a second steam chamber forming bore 10. The bore Iii is provided with a substantially horizontally disposed annular groove 1| which is adapted to receive the edge of the screen 20, which is of a resilient nature and expands into the said groove, the screen 20 having a central orifice penetrated by the conduit 2|. Disposed between the lowermost portions of the shank 6| and the neck 81 is a baffle 12. The

* batile 12 extends downwardly to a level substant'udlnal axis of the first body element i2 and forwardly of the wall II is a conduit carrying tube II. The conduit carrying tube is preferably cast integrally with the first body element i2 and extends substantially vertically between the upper tially on a line with the plane undersurface of the walls 82 to 65 inclusive. The baflie 12 extends transversely of the device II, forming a continuous web between the walls 62 and 64.

The handle it is preferably composed of durable heat insulating material such-as wood or molded composition, a suitable molded composition being a plastic of a type sold under the trade name of Bakelite." The front portion II of the handle I4 is provided with an upwardly extending bor 14 adapted to receive the upper portion of the shank I while the rear portion of the handle I is provided with a recess ll adapted to receive the upper portion of the handle 11D- porting bracket it. The handle I is provided with a longitudinally disposed rear opening bore 18 adapted to receive the handle. retainer bolt ii.

The handle supporting bracket II is of irregular 83, and the rear edge u. The heating element spring I01.

24 may be of any usual known construction, as for example, nlchrome resistance wire wound and positioned by means of mica sheets. The heating element in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is-incorporated into the sole plate by casting the material of which the sole plate is formed about the heating element as a core. The rear portion of the sole plate is provided with a pair of recesses through which the leads from the heating element are brought up to the contacts 25. These recesse are disposed adjacent to recess 45.

The sole plate 23 in the forward portion, substantially along the central longitudinal axis thereof, is provided witha circular recess 85 extending upwardly from the pressing or lower surface 89. The portion of the sole plate lying above the recess 85 is provided with an aperture in the form of a frusto-conical seat adapted to receive the collar portion 81 of the head 22; The sole plate 23 in the rear portion thereof is provided with a threaded socket 88 adapted to receive the lower threaded end of the retainer bolt 65. In the central portion thereof, the sole plate 23 is provided with a depression 89 and a pair of integral upwardly projecting thermostat locating pins 90. The pins 90 engage corresponding pockets in the lower surface of the thermostat 21.

The conduit 2| is preferably formed of a piece of tubing provided at the upper end thereof with threads 9| and at the lower endthereof with threads which engage the collar portion 81. The conduit 2| near the upper endthereof and below the threads 9| is provided with a plurality of orifices 92. The orifices 92 are preferably spaced equidistantly about the conduit 2| and have outwardy directed nipples 93.

The head 22 is preferably of circular shape, havingan upp r surface 94, an annular vertical surface 95, an annular groove 98, and a bottom surface 91. I

The collar portion 81 is integral with the head 22 and extends upwardly from the upper surface 94 thereof. The collar portion 81 has a centrally vertically disposed bore as well as an en-.

larged bore having threads on the inner surface thereof which are adapted to engage the threads on the lower terminal of the conduit 2|. The head 22, on the same level as the annular groove 96, is provided with a plurality of passages 98, f

of a body I03, the lower surface of which is provided with indentations adapted to receive the pins 90, previously described. The thermostat 21 has upwardly extending therefrom a control spindle I04 which is provided at the upper end thereof with the control knob I05. The control knob I05 is detachably attachable to the upper end of the spindle I04. The spindle I04 travels upwardly through the neck 50 and the neck 61,. and the knob I05 is positionedwithin the.

depression 59 for rotation about a vertical axis therein. The thermostat body I03 is maintained downwardly in engagement with the pins 90 by means of the washer I08 and the expansive coil The main top gasket I08 has the general configuration of the upper edge of the first body element I2, and therefore is adapted to lie above the flange portions 38 to 39 inclusive. The front portion thereof is provided with an orifice to permit passage therethrough of the conduit 2| and the rear portion thereof is provided with an orifice through which the bolt may'pass. This gasket is of any suitable material which has a relatively critical value at which the same will rupture under pressure, as this gasket constitutes the principal safety device in the iron to prevent explosion under excessive pressure. The nature of the gasket is such that when the steam pressure within the steam chamber formed by the first and second body elements reaches a value which is too high, the gasket will blow out the side and release the excess pressure, thus providing a positive and foolproof safety device.

A small circular gasket I09 is disposed between the necks 50 and 81 and is provided with an orirlce through which the spindle I04 I may pass. The sole plate gasket 0' has an external configuration corresponding to the upper edge of the sole plate 23, and inwardly of the edge is pro-' vided with orifices through which the collar portion 81, the thermostat 21, the bolt 25, and the heads of the contacts 29, may pass. The orifices through which the thermostat, 21 and the contact heads 29' pass, are preferably of sizes corresponding to the chambers formed thereat by the shape of the recess formed by the walls 5| to 54 inelusive and the recess 45.

Ill

I a well known manner.

The assembly or disassembly of the device I0 is a relatively simple matter, and by way of example, one method of assembling said device is here given. The second body element I 3 is taken and the upper end of the conduit 2| is screwed into the threaded bore 69. Next, the screen 20 is slipped over the lower end ofthe -conduit 2|- and is pushed into its seat in the lower annular groove 1|.

The contact pins 29 are attached to the bottom well portion 49 by means of insulated bushings in With the spring I01 and the washer I08 thereon, the thermostat is put in place with the spindle I04 penetrating the necks 50 and 81, the gasket I09 having previously been cemented to one of the said necks.

The heating element 24 is connected to the thermostat 21 and the contacts 26 by conductors in a well known manner, not shown, which penetrate the gasket I I0.

The gasket I08 is laid in place and the body element I2 is placed over the conduit 2|, the said conduit penetrating the conduit carrying tube 55.

The gasket 0 is put into place and the bolt 25 is passed through the lower portion of the bracket I5, the rear wall 65, the gasket I08, the

retainer bolt carrying tube 56, and the gasket I I0.

The sole plate 23 is now put in place and is secured thereat by rotatingthe bolt 25 and by placing the gasket IN and the head 22 upon the lower end of the conduit 2| and tightening the same. the thread in the portion 81 co-acting with the threads on the lower end of the conduit 2|. The tightening of the head is accomplished by means of a special wrench previously described, while an ordinary screwdriver may rotate the bolt 25. When the head 22 is in its fully seated position, the lower surface 91 thereof-is coplanar with the lower surface of the sole plate 23.

Next, the handle I4 is put in place by placing the front portion 13 upon the shank portion 9|.

The bolt I6 is next passed through theportion II of the bracket II, the bore I! and finally is screwed into the-shank portion II. The handle I may now be put in place.

The filler stand 2 is preferably in the form of a hollow vessel having side walls I II and front and rear walls III and Hi respectively. The bottom wall H6 is provided with a plurality of ribs I I1 adapted to hold the sole plate 23 slightly above the upper surface of the bottom wall II! when the device I is placed in the filler stand. The bottom wall IIS preferably has a slight forward tilt and may be so maintained by means of the front legs II! and rear legs H9. The fluid capacity of the filler stand H2 is preferably equal to the exact amount of water which is desired shall be placedin the device II) when the same is loaded for use.

Operation The operation of the device III is preferably as follows. The electrical contact plug I2. is connected to a suitable source of current and placed upon the pins 28 in a well known manner. The iron is allowed to heat to a temperature substantially above the boiling point of water. The

filler stand H2 is filled with cold water. The device I0 in its heated condition is placed in the filler stand. The contact of the water in the stand with the sole plate and the first body element, cools the same, causing a contraction of the air. therewithin, which had been previously expanded when the iron was heated. The contraction of the air causesa vacuum within the principal steam chamber of the iron and sucks in the water from the filler stand. This sucking will continue until the water in the filler stand drops below the level of the opening around the edge of the lower surface 91 of the head 22. Depending upon the level of the surface I22 or the adjustment in height of the legs H8 and III, the entire or substantially-the entire contents of the filler stand will be sucked into the iron IO. The iron may be removed from the filler stand and placed upon its heel or may be allowed to remain in the stand. In a relatively short time, the water within the iron will be raised to the boiling temperature and steam from said iron will pass upwardly through the screen 20 through the 01-1-- ing movement with the pressing surface 80 in contact with the material being treated, splashing of the water within the steam chamber formed by the first and second body elements is inhibited by means of the baiile l2 and any splashed water is prevented from entering the steam .carrying conduit 2 I by the screen 20 and the nipples 8!.

It may be noted here that as best seen in Figurethe device, generally. indicated by numeral I I, comprises broadly, a hollow body I I composed of first and second body elements I2 and II, a handle I4, -a handl supporting bracket I5, a handle retaining bolt I6, a water reservoir II, a first steam chamber I 8', a second steam chamber IS, a steam carrying tube or conduit 2|, 8, conduit head 22', a sole plate 23', a heating element 24, a retainer bolt 25', electrical contacts 20", a thermostat 21, and a hollow heel 28'.

The first body element I2 is the main body of the device and is preferably composed of a hollow casting of some material not deleteriously affected by heat or water. The body element I2 includes a bottom wallor portion 30', curved side walls II and 32' having corresponding front portions 33' and 34', and a rear wall 35'. The upper edge of the walls 3| and 32 aswell as the rear wall II have an inwardly extending peripheral flange, including the front flange portion 38', the side flang portions 31' and 38', as well as the rear flange portion 39'. The rearmos't portions of the side walls 3| and 32' and the back wall 35' are provided with a downwardly extending well ll, including the front well portion I, the rear well portion 42', and the side well portions 43 and 44'.

The bottom wall 30' adjacent the rearmost portion thereof is provided with a recess 45', forming the bottom well portion 46'.

Substantially centrally of the first body element I2, the bottom wall 30 is provided with an upwardly extending recess '41, thus forming the thermostat casing 48', including the top wall If, the neck ill, side walls 5| the front wall 53', and the rear wall 54'.

Disposed substantially along the central longitudinal axis of the flrst body element I2 and forwardly of the wall 53' is a conduit carrying tube 55'. The conduit carrying tube is preferably cast integrally with the first body element I2 and extends substantially verticall between the pper surface of the bottom wall 30' and the lower surface of the front flange portion 36'. Surrounding the tube 55' and connecting the inner surfaces of the curved side walls 3| and 32' thereat, is -a main baffle 29'. The upper edge of the bafiie 2! is preferably at the same level as the flange portions 38' to 28' inclusive. The lower forward edge of the baflie 28' is disposed a short distance above the upper surface of the bottom wall 3|, thus allowing for the passage of steam or water there- 3, the water chamber extends rearwardly of the contact pins 2! so that the heel space normally wasted in prior constructions is utilized for carrying water. It may also be noted that the forwardmost portion of the heating element 24 is positioned in advance of the steam emitting circular orifice at the periphery of the bottom wall ll of the head 22.

around. Disposed substantially along the central longitudinal axis of the first body element l2 and rearwardly of the wall II is a retainer bolt carrying tube II. The retainer bolt carrying tube is preferably cast integrally with the first body element I2 and extends substantially vertically between the upper surface of the bottom wall I! and the lower surface of the rear flange portion 3!. The upper surfaces of the flange portions ll to II inclusive are preferable plane and at the same level as the upper surface of the neck II.

The second body element It i preferably a single casting of materials similar to that of which the first casting is composed and is of irregular configuration best seen in Figure 6. The second body element II includes a top wall 00', a shank portion II, a front wal1l2', side walls N and N,

'- and a rear wall I. The top wall ll includes a invention Illustrated in Figures 5 to a inclusive. ll

downwardly extending depression II and a downwardly extending neck 61'. The rear wall II is provided with a handle supporting bracket receiving recess II, and the wall ll therebelow is provided with an orifice, which, when the body elementssfl' and I! are assembled, is in ailinment with the opening in the tube 56' and the shank 6 I may be cylindrical in horizontal section and is provided with a horizontally disposed threaded orifice arranged longitudinally with respect to the device I0.

The lower portion of the shank BI, that is to say, below the handle I4, is, provided with an upwardly extending threaded. bore 69" and a second irregularly shaped steamchamber forming bore I0. Disposed between the bore-' and the neck 51' is a bafii I2. The baffle 12' extends downwardly to a level substantially on a line with the plane undersurface of the walls '62 to 65' inclusive. The baflie I2 extends transversely of the device I0, forming a continuous web between the walls 63' and 54', except for the slots I23 and I24. v

The handle I4 is preferably composed of durable heat insulating material such as wood or molded composition, a suitable molded composition being a plastic of a type sold under the trade name of Bakelite. The front portion I3 ofthe handle I4 is provided with an upwardly extending bore 14' adapted to receive the'upper portion of the shank 6 I while the rear portion of the handle I4 is provided with a recess 15' adapted to receive I the upper portion of the handle supporting bracket E5. The handle I4 is provided with a The thermostat body I03 is maintained downincludes the curved side.edges M and 82', the l point 83, and the rear edge 84'. The heating element 28' may be of any usual known construction, as for example, nichrome resistance wire wound and positioned by means of mica sheets. The'heatingelement in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention is disposed above the sole plate by placing said element 24' in correspondingly disposed upwardly extending recesses in the bottom wall 30'. ,The rear portion of the bottom wall 30' is provided with a pair of recesses through which the leads from the heating element are brought up to the contacts 26'. These recesses are disposed adiacent to recess The sole plate 23' in the forward portion, sub-= stantially along the v central longitudinal axis thereof, is provided with a circular recess 85' extending upwardly from the pressing or lower surface 86. The portion of the sole plate lying above the recess 35' is provided with an aperture adapted to receive the lower portion of the con- The sole plate 23' in the rear portion thereof is provided with a threaded socket 88' adapted to receive the lower threaded end of the retainer bolt 65. In the centra portion thereof, the sole plate 23' is provided with a depression 89' and a pair of integral upwardly projecting thermostat locating pins 90'. The pins 90' engage corresponding pockets in the lower surface of the thermostat 2'8.

The conduit 2i is preferably formed of a piece of tubing having threaded ends. The upper threads 9i are adapted to engage the threadedbore 68' and the lower threads engage the upper portion of the head 22'. The conduit 2| near the upper end thereof and below the threads BI is provided with a single orifice 92'. The orifice 02' is forwardly directed.

The head 22' is preferably of circular shape, having an upper surface, an annular vertical surface 95', an annular groove 86', and a bottom surface 91. The lower portion of the head 22' below the groove is reduced in size as'best see in Figure 6.

The upper portion of the head 22' has a centrally vertically disposed bore 81' having threads on the inner upper surface thereof which are adapted to engage the threads on the lower terminal of the conduit 2|. The head 22, on the same level as the annular groove 86', is provided with a plurality'ofpassages 08', .90, I00 and HM, which radiate from the centrally disposed.

jections, the said projections being disengageably seatable in said indentations, said wrench not being shown.

The thermostat 21' may be of any standard construction well knownin the art to which the present invention relates, and the same consists of a body I03, the lower surface of which is provided with indentations adaptedgto receive the pins 90', previously described. The thermostat 21 has upwardly extending therefrom a control spindle I04 which is provided at the upper end thereof with the control knob I05. The control knob I05 is detachably attachable to the upper end of the spindle I04. The spindle I04 travels upwardly through the neck 50" and the neck 61',

and the knob I05 is positioned within the depres: sion 66'. for rotation about a vertical axis therein.

wardly in engagement with the pins 90' by means of the expansive coil spring I01.

The main, top gasket I08 ha the general configuration of the upper edge of the first body element I2, and therefore is adapted to lie above the flange portions 36 to 39 inclusive. The front portion thereof is provided with 'an orifice to permit passage therethrough of the conduit 2| and the rear portion thereof is provided with an orifice through which'the bolt 25' may pass. The gasket is of any suitable material which has a relatively critical value at which the same will rupture under pressure, a this gasket'constitutes the principal safety device in the iron to prevent explosion under excessive pressure. The nature of the "gasket is such that when the steam pressure within the steam chamber formed by the first and second body elements reaches a value'which is too high, the gasket will blow out laterally and release the excess pressure, thus providing a positive and foolproof safety device.

A small circular gasket I09 is disposed between the necks 50' and 81' and is provided with an orifice through which the spindle I04 may pass.

The sole plate gasket 0' has an external configuration corresponding-to the upper edge of the sole plate 23', and inwardly of the edge is prothe heads of the contacts 26', may pass. The

orifices through which the thermostat 21' and the contact heads 26' pass, arepreferably of sizes corresponding to the chambers formed 'ther'eat here given. The second body element I1 is taken and the upper end of the conduit ii is screwed into the threaded bore 88'.

The contact pins 2|" are attached to the bottom well portion 46' by means of insulated bushings in a well known'manner. lill thereon, the thermostat is put in place with the spindle I04 penetrating the necks 50' and II, the gasket I09 having previously been cemented to one of the said necks. The heating element 24' is connected to the thermostat 21' and the contacts 26' by conductors in a well known manner.

The gasket III! is laid in place and the body element I2 is placed over the conduit 2|, the said conduit penetrating the conduit carrying tube 56';

The gasket ill isput into place and the bolt 25' is passed through the lower portion of the With the springbracket II, the rear wall 65', the gasket I08,

the retainer bolt carrying tube 55', and the gasket Ill.

The sole plate 23' is now put, in place and is secured thereat by rotating the bolt 25' and by placing the gasket Ill and the head 22' upon the lower end of the conduit 2i and tightening the same, the thread in the upper portion oi the head 22' co -acting with the threads on the lower.

Next, the handle I4 is put inplace by placing the front portion I3 upon the shank portion ii. The bolt II is next passed through the portion ll of the bracket IS, the bore 16' and finally is screwed into the shank portion 6i. The'handle III may now be put in place.

which it might rest would correspond to the dotdash line I35, or, the iron may be allowed to remain in the stand. In a relatively short time, the water within the iron will be raised to the boiling temperature and the steam from said iron will pass upwardly through the slots. I23 and I 24' through the orifice s2, downwardly through the conduit 2|, through the passages 9l'-I0l' and out through the circular opening 8! surrounding the bottom of the head 22'.

The iron, thus in a steam emitting condition, may be used in a usual manner. As the iron is moved back and forth in the pressing movement.

with the pressing surface 88' in contact with the material being treated, splashing of the water within the steam chamber l8 formed by the first and second body elements is inhibited by means of the bailie l2 and any splashed water is prevented from entering the steam carrying conduit 2| by reason of the placement of the orifice l2 and the trapping action of the chamber ll.

It may be noted here that as best seen in Figure 6, the water chambers extends rearwardly of the contact pins 26' so that the heel space normally wasted in prior constructions is utilized for carrying water. It may also be noted that the forwardmost portion of the heating element 24' is positioned-in advance of' the steam emitting circular orifice II.

The structure of the iron is particularly adapted for operation in the manner describedhereinabove by reaso of-the fact that the lower portions of the n are substantially hermetically sealed, except, of course, the entrances to the cal heating element therein. Also by reason of The filler stand for use with the second em- The operation of the device ,II is preferably as follows. An electrical contact plug is connected to a suitable source of current and placed upon the pins 28' in a well known manner. The

iron is allowed to heat to a temperature substantially above the boiling point of water. The

filler stand is filled with cold water. The device the fact that the contact pins 26 or 2| are disposed within a relatively deep well, the water into which the iron is dipped is prevented from shortcircuiting the contacts. c

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In combinatioma steam iron comprising: a hollow body, the bottom portion of which is adapted to act as a pressing plate; said hollow body being hermetically sealed with the exception oLan opening in the said bottom portion, said opening serving for the admission of water to and the exit of steam from said hollow body; and a filler stand in the form of a hollow vessel having a peripheral wall and adapted-to contain water, said filler stand being of a size capable of receiving the bottom portion of the hollow body I. in its heated condition is placedin the filler stand. The contact of the water in the stand with the sole plate and the first body element, .cools the same, causinga contraction of the air therewithln, which had been previously expanded when the iron was heated. The contraction of the air causes a-vacuum within the principal steamchamberoftheironandsucksinthewater from the filler stand. This sucking will continue until the water in the filler stand drops below the level of the opening aroimd'the' edge-oi the lower ,surfacej'l' of the head 22'. The iron may be removed irom the filler stand and placed upon its heel so that it'rests upon the ribs SI" and the and of a fiuid cubic capacity less than the cubic capacity of the hollow body, said filler stand having means to support the hollow-body in position with relation thereto whereby water in the stand may have access to said opening- 2'. In combination: a steam iron comprising a hollow body, the bottom portion or which is adapted to act as pressing plate; said hollow body being hermetically sealed with the exception oi an opening in said bottom portion, said opening serving for the admission of water to and the exit of steam from said hollow body; and a filler said filler stand being of a size capable of receivrear-end ofthehandle ilfsothatasurfaceupon is his the portion of the hollow body having the opening and of a fluid capacity sumcient only to iill the hollow body to a predetermined level.

3. The combination claimed in claim 2, with the addition of means on the filler stand to support the hollow body with the opening therein spaced from the inner surface of the flllerstand juxtaposed to said opening.

4. The combination claimed in claim 2, with the addition of ribs on the filler stand adapted to support the hollow body in spaced juxtaposition. I

5. A steam pressing device adapted tobe filled by dipping in water, comprising: a hollow body;

connected to said heating element; said well acting to prevent said water irom reaching said contacts when the device is placed in water below the level of the lowest portion of the upper edge of the side walls of said well. I 6. A steam pressing device for use with wate comprising: a hollow body having a rear wall; an

electrical heating element disposed at the lower portions of said body; said body having an upwardly opening well disposed forwardly and spaced from said-rear wall, said well being water tight at the lower portions thereof, thereby providing a hollow portion in said body positioned between said well and said rear wall, said hollow portion being a dapted to contain water or steam; and electrical contacts in said well connected to said electrical heating element; said well acting to prevent said water from touching said contacts when the device is placed in water the level of which is below the opening of said well.

SEYMOUR STONE. 

